Daryl Bauer, Fisheries Outreach Program Manager
I have kept a log of every fishing trip I have made since I was in school, grade school. In almost every one of those logged trips I have recorded the water temperature. Over the years have used a variety of gadgets to record water temps. Most of the time those temps. have been logged on the surface, but at times from the top to bottom.
Having said that, you would think I am a huge believer in water temperature being some sort of “magic” for catching fish.
Baloney.
Back in the day, one of the big outdoor magazines, I forget which one, published a list of dozens of fish species and their preferred temperatures, spawning temperatures, etc. That list got wadded up and thrown away a long time ago.
Do not get me wrong. The pointy-headed biologist in me will quickly point out the difference between cold-, cool-, and warm-water fish species. Those different species certainly prefer different temperatures and in fact thrive at different temperatures. Interestingly, near the extreme temperatures where a particular species may perish, they in fact continue to feed aggressively right up until the point where they croak. I once caught a rainbow trout in Nebraska from water that was near 80 degrees F! I am betting that fish was grabbing its final meal! It was already “poached”!
No doubt, knowing that we have a variety of fish species that prefer different temperatures is an important factor in my fishing strategies throughout the year. I often target cold-water species when the water is cold, warm-water species when it is warm, and cool-water species somewhere between.
Having paid attention to water temps., in some cases collecting a bunch of temperature data, has taught me that actual temps. in most cases are not important. It is all relative. What is usually most important is relative temperatures from trip to trip, day to day, one area to another, or from one waterbody to another. That is especially true in the spring when our weather is insane, water temperatures can vary greatly, and warming tends to result in better fishing.
I often say to “think warm” during the spring. Warming temperatures tend to trigger more fish activity, more feeding and better fishing. Does not make any difference what the actual temperature might be. What is important is whether it is warmer or cooler.
What about spawning? Isn’t it a fact that different species spawn at different temperatures? Well, no, not really. Many different variables can cue spawning in freshwater fish. Water temps. and even water flows can be important cues. However, for most species the amount of daylight, photoperiod, is the most important cue. Spawning tends to occur about the same time every year. For example, I have seen walleyes actively spawning around April 1 the day after the ice went out and water temps. were in the upper 30’s F. Have also seen walleyes actively spawning around April 1 with water temps. well into the 50’s. There is no magic temperature for spawning activity (Spring and Spawning is in the Air).
Absolutely, pay attention to water temperatures, especially this time of year. But, the actual temperature at one point in time at one location don’t mean nothing. What is really important is what the temperature is doing. What is the trend? Where is it warmer? Those answers usually come from time on water.
Nothing beats that!
GO FISH!